Mark Pierce Honored with Charlie Schneider Safety First Award

The City of Jasper recognized longtime Safety Committee member Mark Pierce, celebrating his quiet leadership and lasting impact on the city’s nationally recognized safety culture. Charlie Schneider, Jasper’s first Director of Safety, Personnel, and Loss Control, was on hand to present the Charlie Schneider Safety First Award to his colleague, Mark Pierce. Serving the City of Jasper Wastewater Department for nearly 40 years, Pierce has been a member of the Safety Committee since it was established in 1994. 

While working together on the Safety Committee, Schneider said he “saw firsthand his integrity, his caring, his steadfast commitment that he's brought to the table. He never sought recognition. He simply showed up. He did the work. And he always kept the well-being of his co-workers front and center. Mark's leadership has made a lasting impact He was always willing to step up, without hesitation, to find answers and to help solve problematic safety issues.” 

Schneider described Pierce’s priorities and his dedication to those around him. “Mark understands that safety isn't just about policies and procedures. It's about people. It's about making sure that everyone goes home at the end of the day, safe and sound. This constant vigilance, and the belief in safety first, help strengthen the city's safety culture in ways that will continue to benefit the city for years to come.” 

Speaking about the city’s safety program, Schneider described its early days without computers, without the internet, and relying on Indiana code books stuffed into large red binders. Even without the advantages of modern technology, the city became the only Indiana municipality to be certified by INSHARP. To this day, Jasper remains the only municipality with that distinction. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana on Facebook. 

 - Drew Hasselbring